The poll of 5,000 people was conducted by global research company. Top 10 of MEN’S GOSSIP TOPICS 1. Drunken friends 2. News 3. Old school friends 4. Female colleagues at work 5. The sexiest girl at work 6. Spreading rumours 7. Promotions 8. Sexual relationships 9. Salaries 10. The boss

A spokesman for Onepoll continued: "Although they discuss very different things during their gossiping sessions, men and women agree on one thing–talking with mates, work colleagues or partners makes them feel like they belong." According to the research, men spend an average 76 minutes a day tittle-tattling with their friends or work colleagues, compared to just 52 minutes for women. Favourite topics include the antics of drunken friends, old school friends, and the most attractive girl at work. It found the office is the preferred place for men to exchange gossip, whereas women prefer to confide in their friends from the comfort of their own home. A third of men are happiest when chatting with work colleagues, and 58 per cent admit that being a gossip makes them feel "part of the gang". And for 31 per cent of men, having a gossip with their partner is actually better than sexual relations.

Other topics good for male chat include the local news agenda, rumours about possible relationships in the office or the boss, promotions, sex and salaries. A spokesman for Onepoll said: "It is commonly believed that women are the ones who love to spread rumours, and gossip about their friends behind their backs. "But this poll proves that men aren’t as bad as women, they’re worse! Men just love a bit of scandal, and will do anything they can to be centre of attention with their colleagues and peers. "At the end of the day, hot gossip spices up what would otherwise be another boring day at the office." Women also love to talk about news, but rather than focusing on politics or government issues, news about soap operas and celebrities are more likely to cause a debate. And any type of relationship is up for discussion–whether it is their own, their friends, their friends’ friends or their bond with their mother-in-law. More than half of women openly admit to regularly discussing the ins and outs of their private lives with their friends. But whereas men’s discussions are more influenced by what is happening at work, women are more inclined to take note of celebrity lifestyles, soap gossip and other people.